I think Hanyu's personal investment in his movement is what gives power to his artistry. I just want him to skate as himself, whether it's softer or harder. There's nothing more jarring than seeing a skater trying to skate more traditionally masculine when they're not (like Adam Rippon's current LP). I would rather see someone skate honestly than manly (in many ways, "being a man" is mainly a cover for emotional attachment anyway).

I think Hanyu's personal investment in his movement is what gives power to his artistry. I just want him to skate as himself, whether it's softer and harder. There's nothing more jarring than seeing a skater trying to skate more traditionally masculine when they're not (like Adam Rippon's current LP). I would rather see someone skate honestly than manly (in many way, "being a man" is mainly a cover for emotional attachment anyway).

This topic can go so many ways and some of you have stated very interesting points of view. Many young male skaters struggle with programs early on. They don't want to be perceived as sissies so many will choose strong music a la Eldredge style and curtailed their movement to be stronger and sometimes purposely leave out moves that are considered to be feminine such as spirals or camel spins. It is not easy to be a male in a female dominated sport. We don't grow up with many male role models at least not many that are straight. Skating a program reveals a lot about a person and sometimes it is not the intended purpose.

When Hanyu skates and is putting these numbers together he may not realize that he is being extremely feminine and that may not be what he is trying to do. While he grew up with Dai as a role model. Dai does it in such a way that when I see him do it I don't think of male/female. I see a very involved individual with the music. When Dai was younger some of his moves were very feminine and although he still does some of them there is a certain male strength to it. I don't know if that came we age and/or more awareness of himself and what he wanted to put out there.

When Yuzuru skates this kind of programs, he does have a soft, sort-of-balletic movement, particularly in his arms. But I often watch ballet and I don't think that kind of movements are something that belong to one gender in particular.
He is, though, a very emotional skater, has long limbs and a pretty face, is quite flexible and does moves that are more often seen in women's skating (layback ina bauer, biellmann spin), and wears unusual costumes. I think these things put together certainly help in giving the impression that he skates in a feminine way.